🚀ExciteMENT in Romania: "Rediscovering Joy and Passion Through Nature!"

From June 14 to 26, 2025, the international youth project “ExciteMENT: Rediscovering Joy and Passion Through Nature” took place in the village of Harja, Bacau County, Romania. The program was organized by Friends of Romanian Children (Asociatia Copiii in Sanul Familiei). Armenia was represented by INEDNET NGO.

The main goal of the project was to help participants reconnect with joy and excitement beyond the stress and routine of everyday life. It was a 7-day adventure in nature, where young people from different European countries had the chance to breathe fresh air, disconnect from technology, and tune back into themselves, without to-do lists or constant notifications.

The program included creative workshops, nature-based exercises, group discussions, and playful movement sessions that helped us explore ourselves and express emotions in an open and safe environment.

Participants lived in tents, which was a great opportunity to be closer to nature, both physically and emotionally. It taught us that things don’t always go as planned, but even in the most challenging moments, it's possible to stay calm, organise as a team, and continue enjoying the experience that nature and the program offer.

There were so many unforgettable moments: dancing in the rain, swimming in the river, jumping from a 4-meter-high bridge into the water — all in the name of feeling freer, more alive, and more connected to nature. These were the kinds of moments that didn’t need a screen, a photo, or a story. They were simply meant to be lived. Many of us felt like we had gone back to childhood. There were no phones, no work pressure — just the pure, unfiltered freedom to live in the moment.

In the end, we took home more than just new friendships and memories — we left with a simple realisation: sometimes, all you need is to slow down and truly live. To find joy. To enjoy the moment. And to share that feeling with others.